Mike Ashley’s plans to build a new 275-acre facility for his Frasers empire has been recommended for approval by planners.
The retail tycoon wants to build a 4.2m sq ft campus on Crowner Fields Farm in Ansty, Warwickshire, close to junction 2 of the M6.
The scheme will include a 190,000 sq ft headquarters for Frasers, plus more than 3m sq ft of warehouse and distribution facilities, R&D space, leisure facilities such as a gym, swimming pool, shops, an 80-bedroom hotel, training academy and a helipad.
In its application, Frasers said the new campus would “enable the group to drive efficiencies and maximise opportunities for further investment in the retail sector and towns/city centres across the UK”.
It said the campus would draw together all its UK activities into one location.
“The campus is essential to enabling the group to achieve significant productivity gains, which in turn will enable continued investment in the retail sector and facilitate substantial (national and local) economic growth and benefits,” said Frasers. “Land at Ansty provides the opportunity to consolidate Frasers Group’s activities in a single location and enable the group to respond to the fast-changing world of retail and the future of UK’s high street in a progressive, responsive and sustainable manner.”
The plans have faced opposition for being proposed on a green belt site, however planners said the site was considered to be within a “sustainable location”.
Rugby Borough Council will meet to consider the application on 18 December.
Grimshaw Architects designed the scheme; Quod is advising on planning.
Image © Grimshaw Architects
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